Art of the Lakes upcoming events

2026 Business Sponsorship (31 Oct 2025)

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Art of the Lakes is preparing for a year filled with events, classes, and gallery visitors, and we invite you to join us as a business sponsor for 2026.

Benefits to All Sponsors

Increase your brand visibility and connect with new customers
Tap into 15,000 people annually who appreciate the arts
Help bring an estimated $540,000 annually to our local economy

Additional Benefits by Level

PLATINUM 2026

Logo with link on AOTL website
Recognition in our monthly newsletter (circulation 1,500+)
Recognition on Sponsor Board in the Gallery (5,000 visitors/year)
Recognition in our Studio Tour brochure (4000 prints, deadline April 15, 2026)
Recognition in our Prairie Lakes Plein Air brochure (500 prints)
Recognition in our Art & Craft Affair brochure (3500 prints)

GOLD 2026

Logo with link on AOTL website
Recognition in our monthly newsletter (circulation 1,500+)
Recognition on Sponsor Board in the Gallery (5,000 visitors/year)

SILVER 2026

Name with link on AOTL website
Recognition on Sponsor Board in the Gallery (5,000 visitors/year)

BRONZE 2026

Name with link on AOTL website
Recognition on Sponsor Board in the Gallery (5,000 visitors/year)

2027 Teaching Artist Class Agreement (1 Oct 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

This agreement is ONLY for classes that will be taught in calendar year 2027.

If you've confirmed a 2027 class with one of our Programming Committee members, please fill out this 2027 Teaching Artist Class Agreement.

Complete one Class Agreement for each class you will teach.

The Programming Committee will review your Agreement for accuracy, and will determine attendee pricing for the class.

Thank you for sharing your talents and enthusiasm!

Assemblage Art: Trash to Treasures (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Assemblage art requires a lot of materials to pick from and inspire you in order to create a piece. Rose Kranz will have a plethora of items! Wood, metal, trinkets, and broken things.

We will start with a base and flow from there. Bring anything you would like to incorporate in your own piece. Rose will have a share/swap table if you care to bring anything for the others to use. “One man’s trash is another’s treasure!”

We will be getting creative in Rose's converted small barn. It is quite a funky home and studio space that she and her husband collaborated on over several years . Perhaps it will inspire you to think outside the box!

We will be using several tools. Whatever it takes! Chop saw, nail gun, drill, screw gun, glue and clamps. The goal is to go home with a wall piece or a tabletop creation, etc.

Disclaimer, don’t expect a “fine woodworking class” Rose only knows how to figure it out as she goes, which is the reason her art is funky. She is a rescuer of broken discards because they need to be saved and because we need to see the beauty in them!

This class will be held at Rose Kranz's barn. The address is 34553 County Road 12.

Photos are examples of ideas that serve as inspiration. Look around your home to find all sorts of "forgotten" items to include in your assemblage.

The Hook - Oct 22 (22 Oct 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Hook is an unscripted storytelling event inspired by The Moth (heard on NPR) and The Tell in Fargo. Come and watch live storytelling, or be brave and put your name in the hat to tell your own story.

This month's topic is "Spooky," and eight storytellers will do their best to scare you with their short personal narratives.

Enjoy musical guests Joe and Katie Ahlfs.

Doors open at 6:00. Stories begin at 6:30. Tickets are $15 and seating is limited. Attendees must be 18 or older.

Future date:

November 12 ("That's Awkward")

Simple rules for storytellers

Stories are no more than 5 minutes.
No notes/notecards.
No props/costumes.
Story should be true/mostly true.
No comedy routine.
No religious or political rants or sermons.
Be respectful and not crass.

The Hook - Nov 12 (12 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This month's topic is "That's Awkward," and eight storytellers will do their best to make you cringe with their short personal narratives.

Enjoy musical guests Joe and Katie Ahlfs.

Doors open at 6:00. Stories begin at 6:30. Tickets are $15 and seating is limited. Attendees must be 18 or older.

Simple rules for storytellers

Stories are no more than 5 minutes.
No notes/notecards.
No props/costumes.
Story should be true/mostly true.
No comedy routine.
No religious or political rants or sermons.
Be respectful and not crass.

Easy Clay Christmas Ornaments (16 Nov 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join Terry Shaw as she teaches you to make & personalize clay Christmas ornaments. This 2-part class is for all skill levels, beginner to advanced. On November 16, the first part, we will begin with the basics of rolling out the clay, then use cookie cutters and tools to create one-of-a-kind ornaments which Terry will fire in her kiln. In part 2 on November 23, Terry will provide a variety of glazes to finish our projects and do another firing. Items can be picked up November 30 or after. Art of the Lakes will provide tools and materials. Terry will have a few cookie cutters, but feel free to gather a few of your own!

Participants should bring an old cookie sheet, old apron, towel, and any cookie cutters that you may want to use. Please wear clothing that can get messy.

Materials fee to the instructor of $10

Let's Make Lefse! (18 Nov 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Using the recipe from Battle Lake’s champion lefse maker, Ruth Ukkelberg, Sandy Thimgan will teach you to make lefse with ease. Using potato flakes (they are REAL potatoes, by the way) that lend consistency to the recipe. No worries about how much moisture is in this year’s potato crop, whether more or less flour will be needed, no more boiling pans of water, mashing, ricing…just mix it together and it is perfect every time. Let’s make lefse!

$5 materials fee payable to instructor at class.

Easy Clay Christmas Ornaments (23 Nov 2026)

Mon, 23 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Materials fee to the instructor of $10

Snowman Woodcarving & Paint NEW DATE!! (5 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 16:30:00 GMT

It's that time of the year for winter fun! What better way to start the season than with a woodcarving lesson of a snowman. Joe Hauger will introduce the best and safest knife stroke techniques as well as give you a chance to try different carving knives. We'll briefly touch on topics including carving "with the grain", how to keep the knife sharp, and painting techniques. Knives & gloves provided by the instructor, but feel free to bring your own carving tools. ("Flat plane" style carving knives will work best.) Students will get to take home a completed snowman about the size of a pop can.

This class is open to all adults and minors 12 & older if accompanied by an adult. (The adult wouldn't need to pay if he/she does not carve.)

$5.00 materials fee payable to instructor at class

Hannukah Latkes & Traditions - make and eat! (5 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Share Jewish traditions from Hannukah, the Festival of Lights, including stories, songs and making latkes (potato pancakes), then join in a community meal.

2026 Teaching Artist Class Agreement (31 Dec 2026)

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This agreement is ONLY for classes that will be taught in calendar year 2026.

If you've confirmed a 2026 class with one of our Programming Committee members, please fill out this 2026 Teaching Artist Class Agreement.

Complete one Class Agreement for each class you will teach.

The Programming Committee will review your Agreement for accuracy, and will determine attendee pricing for the class.

Thank you for sharing your talents and enthusiasm!

Finger Knitting a Chunky Blanket (19 Jan 2027)

Tue, 19 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Winter is that time of the year for cozy things! Come and join Heidi Hull as she teaches you how to "finger" knit a beautiful throw blanket to cuddle during the cold winter nights. This is a 2-part class. We will spend the first part of the class learning how to start the first row and continue to knit the following rows. You will take home your materials and continue to knit the blanket to size, then during the second part of the class 2 weeks later, Heidi will show you how to finish the throw.

$50 material fee per student payable to the instructor at the first part of the class.

Finger Knitting a Chunky Blanket (2 Feb 2027)

Tue, 02 Feb 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Acrylic Painting: Sunset Over Lake w/Pines (7 Mar 2027)

Sun, 07 Mar 2027 19:00:00 GMT

Paint along with Val and learn the techniques to create this stunning lake painting. All supplies are included in the class fee, 11 x 14 canvas, paints, brushes and apron to use during the class. Attendees may want to wear a paint shirt.

Class is for beginners to advanced painters. This class has a relaxed atmosphere and is meant for you to have fun while learning to paint. Students complete the painting during the class session.

2027 Art & Craft Affair (14 Aug 2027)

Sat, 14 Aug 2027 14:00:00 GMT

The 49th annual Art & Craft Affair

Vendors: Apply Here!

Vendors create and sell their own original art and crafts. This one day event is promoted throughout Central Minnesota leading up to the event date. Vendors are encouraged to hang posters and share the event online (posters located at the gallery).

The Art & Craft Affair in downtown Battle Lake was launched in 1977 by the Art of the Lakes Association. Annually, this event draws nearly 5,000 visitors and is held on the 2nd Saturday of August at Railroad Park, located at MN Hwy 78 and County Rd 83 in Battle Lake.

The Art & Craft Affair offers display vendors an opportunity to market creative, handmade, original arts and crafts, and to offer fairgoers, of all ages and economic status, an opportunity to enjoy the event and discover items of interest for purchase and delicious food to eat.

Important Dates:

May 15th - Jury process begins

June 1st - Acceptance notification begins

July 15th - Booth prices increase

After August 1st - Booth assignment emailed or sent (NO refunds after this date)